Exam pattern at a glance
RBI Assistant is an online, fully objective exam held in two phases, followed by a qualifying Language Proficiency Test (LPT). Prelims only screens; the Main exam aggregate decides who is called for the LPT and the order of merit.
Prelims exam pattern
Three objective tests, each with its own 20-minute timer — 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes. You must qualify in each test separately, and about 10 times the vacancies are shortlisted for mains, in descending order of aggregate marks.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min | English |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min | −¼ mark per wrong answer |
*Appendix II of the advertisement lists the medium for each recruiting office — for example English and Hindi only for Bhopal, Jaipur, New Delhi and Patna; English, Hindi and Odia for Bhubaneswar; and English, Hindi, Telugu and Urdu for Hyderabad. For Panel Year 2025, the sectional minimums RBI applied in prelims (English / Numerical Ability / Reasoning) were 12 / 14 / 14 for General and EWS and 10.50 / 12.25 / 12.25 for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD-A, PwBD-C and EXS-2 — see the official cut-off table (27.08.2026).
Mains exam pattern
Mains is the stage that counts. Each test must again be cleared separately, and candidates high in merit on the Main exam aggregate — about 2 times the vacancies — are called for the Language Proficiency Test.
| Stage | Taken by | Questions | Marks | Counts for merit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | All candidates who applied (admitted provisionally) | 100 | 100 | No — screening only |
| Mains | About 10× vacancies, shortlisted from prelims | 200 | 200 | Yes — aggregate decides the LPT shortlist |
| Language Proficiency Test | About 2× vacancies, shortlisted from mains | — | Qualifying | No — qualifying, but mandatory |
Mains — test-wise breakdown
Each test is timed separately, and the Main exam runs 135 minutes in all. Main exam centres are fewer than prelims centres, and a centre once allotted cannot be changed.
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test of Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 30 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Test of English Language | 40 | 40 | 30 min | English |
| Test of Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | 30 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Test of General Awareness | 40 | 40 | 25 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Test of Computer Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 20 min | English, Hindi + office language* |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 135 min | All objective |
Final merit & the language test
There is no interview in RBI Assistant. Clearing mains leads to the language test, then the checks before appointment.
Merit list & provisional selection
Candidates are ranked on the Main exam aggregate, and about 2 times the vacancies are called for the LPT. Final selection rests on performance in the online examination (order of merit), qualifying in the LPT, being declared medically fit and verification of certificates. Where an exam runs in several sessions, RBI equates the scores across sessions and normalises them using the equipercentile method.
Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
The LPT is in the official/local language of the state of the office you applied to (Appendix I) — for example Marathi or Konkani for Mumbai, Tamil for Chennai, Hindi for New Delhi, Bengali or Nepali for Kolkata. It is mandatory for every shortlisted candidate, with no exemption, and is held at the respective Regional Office, which intimates the centre and date. A candidate found not proficient in the language is disqualified. For Panel Year 2025, RBI had not announced LPT dates as of 12.10.2026.
Negative marking, stage by stage
RBI uses one rule in both online exams: a wrong answer costs one-fourth of a mark. Only wrong answers are penalised — leave a question blank and there’s no deduction.
| Exam stage | Penalty per wrong answer |
|---|---|
| Prelims (all three tests) | ¼ mark |
| Mains (all five tests) | ¼ mark |
| Unattempted questions | No penalty |
Because every test has its own qualifying mark, a weak section can knock you out even with a strong total — so avoid guessing your way into negatives in your weakest test. Prelims marks are used to shortlist for mains; the Main exam aggregate decides the LPT shortlist. Full rules are in para 3 of the official advertisement.
Crack RBI Assistant with your own daily plan
Daily targets, PYQ practice sets & timed mocks — built around the RBI Assistant pattern.
Rehearse the exam pattern
Knowing the pattern is step one. JobSafal lets you practise it in timed tests, so separately timed sections feel familiar on exam day.
Timed mocks
Full-length RBI Assistant mocks in a timed test interface.
Negative-marking analysis
See how your accuracy versus attempts affects your net score, question by question.
Section-wise practice
Drill one section at a time — every test has its own qualifying mark, so weak links matter.
PYQ practice sets
Six timed sets to check your speed and accuracy before the real exam.
